How to unlock iPhone without a passcode
Maybe you recently changed your iPhone’s passcode to secure your information, but now you can’t remember the new one and find yourself locked out of your own phone. As frustrating as a disabled iPhone can be, rest assured that there are several iPhone hacks and iPhone tricks to get it back.
While you’ve most likely locked your phone yourself, it’s possible that someone else has locked it without you knowing, in which case you’ll want to learn how to delete iPhone apps and how to lock iPhone apps. But first, it’s essential to know how to unlock an iPhone without a passcode, whether for yourself or someone else—and maybe even save a life.
How to unlock iPhone without a passcode
There are several situations where you may need to unlock your iPhone without a passcode:
Reset your passcode and forget the new one.
Someone else has reset your passcode.
You have entered the wrong passcode so many times that your phone has locked itself out of its security settings.
Your phone is disabled.
If the screen is cracked and won’t accept your passcode.
The phone belongs to someone else who needs help.
You’re stuck in an emergency situation where the only available phone has a passcode you don’t know.
Most people only use Touch ID or Face ID, so they forget their password. “Apple’s Face ID relies on a learning algorithm, so it’s still not 100% accurate,” explains tech expert Jason Wise, editor-in-chief of Earth web. “If the feature is disabled or your device malfunctions, you will have to resort to using a passcode.”
How to unlock iPhone without a password
Not being able to get into your iPhone can be frustrating and maybe even a little scary, depending on the situation. Try one of these strategies to unlock it. Note that using these methods will factory reset your phone, but restoring your data is as easy as logging into iCloud with your Apple ID and password. That’s why it’s a good idea to regularly backup your data to iCloud. Once you have access to your phone, it’s too late.
How to unlock iPhone using a computer
Using iTunes
Cornelius Fichtner, technical expert, and president of OSP International breaks down the steps to use iTunes or Finder to unlock an iPhone without a passcode. For users with older operating systems or for PC users, iTunes can still be used to unlock iPhone.
Install iTunes on your Mac or PC.
Disconnect the phone from the computer (if connected) and turn it off.
Put the phone into recovery mode by pressing the right button and connecting the phone to the computer at the same time. For iPhone 8 and later, use the side button; on the 7 and 7 Plus, use the volume down button; for iPhone 6 and older, use the Home button.
Hold the button until the recovery mode popup appears.
Find your iPhone in iTunes and select “restore” when you see an option to restore or update.
When the download is complete, the phone will turn off and restart. When you’re done, disconnect it from your computer, set it up, and use your iPhone as usual.
Using the Finder
Mac users running Catalina or later without iTunes can unlock their iPhones using the Finder.
Open Finder on your Mac and connect your iPhone to your computer with a USB cable.
Put your iPhone into recovery mode: On iPhone X and later, press and quickly release the volume up and volume down buttons in that order. You have to press and hold the side button until you see the recovery mode screen.
A pop-up window will appear with options to update or restore; press “Restore”.
Accept the terms and the Finder will begin downloading the latest iOS firmware.
Wait for your iPhone to restore.
Using the Find function
Another way to unlock an iPhone without a passcode is through Apple’s Find My feature. While Find My has many benefits, it can also open you up as a target for scammers, so be aware that the benefits generally outweigh the risks. Fichtner breaks down how to unlock an iPhone using Find It.
On your Mac, go to icloud.com and sign in.
Open the Find app.
Click on the “All Devices” on the top bar; select the phone you want to unlock.
Press “Erase iPhone”.
Enter your Apple ID to confirm.
The process will start when your iPhone is connected to the network.
Should you unlock your iPhone with third-party apps?
You may see third-party apps advertised that unlock iPhone without a passcode, but they aren’t necessary when Apple provides you with other, more secure tools to unlock your iPhone. “It is possible to unlock an iPhone with third-party software, but I wouldn’t recommend it. Use iTunes or Finder,” says Eric Florence, a cybersecurity consultant at SecurityTech.The FBI has had a great time unlocking iPhones when investigating mass shooters and other criminals. If the company really managed to crack Apple’s iPhone encryption, it’s not going to sell it online for a few bucks.”
“The best case scenario,” says Hammerstone, “is that these sketchy apps take your money and get nothing in return. If you only lose the few bucks you paid for the app, consider yourself lucky. But what’s more likely is that they’ll steal your account details, personal information, or financial information for other crimes and fraud.”
Chris Hauk, consumer privacy champion at Pixel Privacy, also weighs in: “While several apps claim to unlock your iPhone, it’s best to stick to the Apple-recommended trilogy of using iTunes/Finder/Find My to unlock your device. reputable companies that offer tools that can unlock your iPhone, be aware that the app may send data back to the developer, which could compromise your privacy and device security.”
Consensus: Stick to their recommended methods or visit your local Apple store for help. Don’t try to fix it yourself by downloading apps or tools you find online.
iPhone Unlock Hacks
There are hacks for everything these days, like using hidden codes for smartphones to disable call waiting or better reception. Other hacks will teach you how to restart a frozen iPhone, how to turn off read receipts, and how to hide text messages on your iPhone. Not enough hacks? Check out TikTok, which already convinced us we need a desktop vacuum cleaner but has the ultimate trick to unlock your iPhone without a passcode.
This TikTok video is easy and reliable. You can practice this on your own iPhone by covering the camera so Face ID doesn’t work.
Unlock iPhone without a passcode as follows:
Swipe down your iPhone from the top to open the Control Center.
Turn off Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and mobile data. Turn on Aeroplane mode.
Open the calculator.
Open the phone by turning it sideways